Patent NL-1042386-B1 (NL)
Title: Electronic bicycle bell, wireless operated with theft prevention alarm and sensors used for collecting data on road conditions and potential hazardous traffic locations.
Inventor: ING KLAES SIKKEMA
IPC: G01C21/34
Filed: 2017-05-16
Granted: 2018-11-23
Abstract: The proposed electronic bicycle bell addresses the problem of reaching other road users earlier to respond to the situation. It provides a safer handling for cyclists then current bells for racing 5 bicycles because the cyclist can keep his hands on the handlebar. The device also provides information on potential hazardous traffic locations and road conditions. With the integrated alarm it also brings a solution to the increasing numbers of bicycles stolen. Our product offering consists of a central unit and a remote control unit that triggers the central unit to emit the sound. In one embodiment, called the central unit, the bicycle bell includes a 10 speaker for producing sound, with a wireless receiver and a battery. Also included are lights as additional warning or daylight lighting. The housing includes a piezo speaker; lights, antenna, accelerometer, GPS, and battery indicator and battery recharge ports. The product offering can also hold a camera. The wireless remote control activates the electronic bicycle bell. The wireless unit holds one or more buttons together in a housing. The wireless unit can be placed 15 on the bicycle at any given position. The wireless unit has multiple mounting options, whether clamped to the handlebar, elastic bands, sticky tape, or screwed to the rubber hoods of the brake lever. The bicycle bell can also be controlled by brand specific technology, which uses the same wireless protocol. Examples are Shimano's DI2 shifters where the buttons on the brake/shifting 20 levers can be programmed to provide a trigger signal to our bicycle bell. The device and wireless remote buttons can be programmed to provide different functions for the future: as an example, different sounds based on new insights can be uploaded. Uploading is possible through a mobile phone app with the Bluetooth protocol. Pressing one, or more times involves different outcomes in chosen sounds and sound volume. It is possible to setup different 25 profiles, which can be uploaded to the central unit. Pressing the button can also activate the onboard camera. For uploading different profiles an App for Android and iPhone will be provided to the users. The number of activations, and timing of the activations can be stored / uploaded to our smartphone App. Combining this data with GPS positioning shows the locations where the bell is 30 used. This data can be provided directly through an online platform or indirect (third parties (for instance Strava and other software companies) to cyclists and or road authorities. By using an accelerometer, gyro sensor and GPS we can collect motion data which give insights about road conditions (unevenness of the road surface that is driven on). These insights can be provided to different target groups like cyclist and road authorities. 35 The integrated theft alarm makes use of already installed functionality. The motion sensor (accelerometer) senses the bicycle being moved and triggers an alarm sound that will be played using the speaker. The integrated alarm is being operated by a remote button (using RF technology) or by a mobile phone app using Bluetooth LE connection (or ANT+) to connect phone with the electronic bicycle bell. 1042386